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sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as a Swedish investment adviser between October 2018 and August 2020. The victim's daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother had been victimized after a federal investigator's call and subsequently found a suicide note, motivating her to advocate for romance scam awareness. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion by romance scammers in a recent year, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame and embarrassment, though law enforcement emphasizes
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise fraud schemes orchestrated by Nigerian co-conspirators; he used bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges to conceal and transfer the funds. Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $464,923.91. Four additional defendants remain at large in this transnational fraud operation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victoria Zerillo, a 49-year-old general manager in Riverview, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for embezzling over $400,000 from senior citizens between December 2015 and November 2022. Zerillo and co-conspirators created false bank statements and destroyed records to steal funds from a non-profit that provided repair services to a senior residential community, spending the money on personal luxuries including vacations. The court ordered her to forfeit $410,963.78, and senior residents testified about the significant financial harm caused by the fraud.
tribune.com.pk
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost approximately £40,000 to a romance scam after being deceived by a scammer posing as Elon Musk via deepfake video calls on Instagram. The scammer built trust by sharing convincing photos and personal details, then persuaded her to invest money in a fraudulent opportunity through a Korean bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of criminals exploiting Musk's image and reputation to commit investment and romance fraud against unsuspecting victims.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
This commentary discusses "scambaiting"—intentionally engaging with scammers to waste their time—as an unconventional tactic some people use against fraud. While it can provide psychological satisfaction and prevent scammers from targeting vulnerable victims, scambaiting carries legal risks under harassment and stalking laws, and may provoke retaliation including doxxing or threats to the person's loved ones.
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old man from Kent lost nearly £80,000 in cryptocurrency tokens after being deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Ledger wallet support representative on X (Twitter). The scammer used a verified blue tick account to gain credibility and tricked him into sharing his "seed phrase," which granted access to his digital wallet containing IoTeX tokens that represented his planned retirement savings. The incident highlights the vulnerability of crypto holders to social engineering scams and the diminished trustworthiness of X's blue tick verification system since its monetization in 2022.
duanemorris.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2024 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning that both simple and sophisticated schemes continue to target taxpayers year-round, with peaks during tax season. The most prevalent scams include phishing and smishing (fraudulent emails and text messages impersonating the IRS or financial organizations to steal personal information) and abusive employee retention credit claims that convince ineligible people to claim false credits. Taxpayers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited communications and verify the authenticity of official-looking emails and texts before providing sensitive information.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to a romance scam that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia's role involved providing bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds and using cryptocurrency to conceal the money's origin before transferring funds to his Nigerian co-conspirators, who remain at large; he was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in laundering romance scam proceeds, having scammed $2.3 million in funds that he sent to criminal associates in Nigeria using cryptocurrency exchanges. Garcia worked with four other suspects to defraud multiple victims and was ordered to return $464,923.91 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Romance scams have grown significantly, with American victims losing over $1 billion to overseas criminals in 2023, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting and the difficulty law enforcement faces in prosecuting transn
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated Elon Musk using deepfake technology in video calls, gradually building an emotional connection before convincing her to "invest" the money in a fake Tesla opportunity. The scammer used fabricated details about Musk's life, official-looking ID photos, and a convincing deepfake video declaring "I love you" to manipulate the victim into transferring funds to a bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of romance scammers exploiting emotions and celebrity identities, with romance fraud alone costing victims $1.3 billion in the U.S. in 2022.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2021 and June 2023, Americans lost $2.7 billion to social media scams on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with investment scams accounting for 53% of total losses despite representing fewer reported incidents than shopping scams. While younger adults and minors are heavily targeted, the article provides protective measures including verifying companies before purchase, using credit cards instead of debit cards, being cautious of unsolicited money requests and romance scams, and avoiding targeted advertising features that scammers exploit.
pensionsage.com
· 2025-12-08
A study by the Money and Pensions Service found that 71% of people using its Pension Guidance helpline felt more confident spotting and managing financial scams, with 83% feeling greater control over their finances. Among 833 service users in 2023/24, approximately £13.6 million was lost to financial crimes and scams (averaging £16,297 per person), with identity theft, bank account scams, and investment fraud being the most common types.
investmentexecutive.com
· 2025-12-08
Red Rock Secured LLC and its executives defrauded elderly investors by selling overpriced Canadian coins marked up over 100% while falsely claiming low fees (1-5%) and a direct relationship with the Royal Canadian Mint; investors lost approximately US$39 million after liquidating retirement savings for coins worth significantly less than purchase price. A U.S. court ordered the defendants to pay over US$56 million in restitution, disgorgement, and penalties, and imposed permanent trading and registration bans.
wpxi.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Turnpike and FBI issued warnings about a widespread texting scam targeting tolling customers across multiple states, with over 2,000 complaints received from at least three states. The fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and direct them to click links that compromise personal and financial information. Officials advise customers to delete suspicious messages immediately and contact their financial institutions if they have already clicked malicious links or submitted information.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI forensic accountant Daniel Booth warns that cryptocurrency scams are increasingly prevalent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region, representing traditional fraud schemes updated to use digital currency. Three common types include ransomware attacks on businesses (demanding crypto payments for system access), fake tech support scams targeting individuals (gaining remote access to steal financial data), and "pig butchering" schemes (fake investment websites encouraging victims to deposit money with false promises of trading gains, sometimes resulting in loss of life savings). Victims of cryptocurrency fraud are encouraged to report cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
thv11.com
· 2025-12-08
This article covers testimony in Donald Trump's criminal trial regarding alleged hush money payments, not an elder fraud case. It documents cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about a "catch-and-kill" scheme to suppress negative stories during the 2016 campaign, with the defense challenging his credibility and testimony details. The case involves a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and is unrelated to elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam network that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia provided bank accounts to co-conspirators who posed as romantic interests to victims aged 40 to 80, requesting money for fake overseas oil sales and other expenses, then used cryptocurrency to launder the proceeds before sending funds to accomplices in Nigeria. He was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000, while his four Nigerian co-conspirators remain at large.
fox35orlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old from Winter Haven, Florida, was sentenced to two years in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from Nigerian romance scams and business email compromise schemes by receiving funds into bank accounts and converting them to Bitcoin for co-conspirators. He was ordered to forfeit nearly $465,000 in personal proceeds, with four additional defendants remaining at large in the scheme.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Jason Pick, a 42-year-old New Orleans accountant, was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud for stealing approximately $64,137 from his employer between June 2020 and October 2021 by altering tenant rent payment money orders and depositing them into his personal account. While awaiting sentencing for the initial scheme, Pick submitted a fraudulent letter to a federal judge to delay his prison report date so he could conceal additional fraudulent changes to the company's accounting system. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
India registered 1.13 million fraud cases in 2023, with "pig butchering" emerging as a growing cyber scam where fraudsters build trust with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake opportunities or job offers. The scam relies on emotional manipulation and fake investment platforms or job postings, with victims ultimately losing significant sums once trust is established. To protect against these scams, individuals should verify investment and job offers thoroughly, avoid sharing personal financial information with online strangers, resist pressure to make rushed financial decisions, and consult trusted advisors before proceeding with any financial transactions.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australians lost $2.7 billion to 601,000 reported scams in the past year, representing a 13.1% decrease in losses despite an 18.5% increase in reported incidents, according to the Australian Anti-Scam Centre. Investment scams caused the most harm ($1.3 billion), followed by remote access scams ($256 million) and romance scams ($201.1 million), with people over 65 being disproportionately affected—experiencing a 13.3% increase in losses to $120 million and being particularly vulnerable to investment and social media-initiated scams. Text messages were the most common contact method for scams
5newsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
This article covers recent legal developments involving Donald Trump across multiple jurisdictions and does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It focuses on criminal prosecutions, civil cases, and political matters involving the former president. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database and cannot be summarized as requested.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Renato Calalang, a 60-year-old Australian warehouse worker, lost nearly $150,000 in life savings to an inheritance scam after receiving an email from someone claiming to be a Philippine bank owner offering him a €3.8 million inheritance from a deceased cousin. The scammer, posing as "Steve Golds," provided forged documents including a death certificate and instructed Calalang to open a new bank account and deposit funds to facilitate the transfer, exploiting Calalang's family ties to the Philippines and his trust in his existing bank. After months of transfers and communication, Calalang realized he had been defrauded and lost his retirement
kimatv.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles "Todd" Hill, a 58-year-old former HGTV star from "Flip It To Win It," was sentenced to up to four years in jail for multiple fraud schemes involving millions of dollars. Hill diverted construction funds for personal use, created a Ponzi scheme defrauding investors, and obtained fraudulent loans using false balance sheets, causing ongoing financial and professional damages to his victims. His crimes occurred both before and during his television career.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters on online dating platforms are using fake "identity verification" schemes to trick victims into providing personal and financial information and signing up for recurring monthly subscription charges. The scam begins when a fraudster develops romantic rapport with a victim and directs them to a fraudulent verification website claiming to check whether potential dates are sex offenders or criminals; victims unknowingly submit credit card details and are subsequently charged monthly fees to unknown businesses while their data is harvested for identity theft or sold on cybercrime marketplaces. The FBI recommends keeping conversations on dating platforms with safety features, avoiding sharing personal information with new online contacts, monitoring financial accounts for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious sites to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint
hellocare.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian seniors aged 65 and above lost more than $2.7 billion to scams across over 601,000 reported cases, representing a significant increase from 2022's 507,000 reports. Investment scams were the leading threat, accounting for $1.3 billion in losses, followed by remote access scams ($256 million), romance scams ($201.1 million), and phishing scams ($137.4 million), with tactics including deepfake videos and celebrity impersonations. The ACCC reports that the true scale is likely much larger, as an estimated one in three victims never report their fraud, and the government has launche
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia reported $2.74 billion in scam losses in 2023, a 13% decline from 2022, though people aged 65 and over bucked this trend with losses increasing 13.3% to $120 million, often involving social media-based investment scams targeting retirement savings. Investment scams led all fraud types at $1.3 billion in total losses, while job scams surged over 150%, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The ACCC's coordinated multi-agency approach is credited with helping reduce overall losses, though advocates call for stronger consumer protections and greater accountability from tech platforms facilitating scam activity.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians aged over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in scam losses totaling $120 million, bucking the national trend of overall scam losses declining by 13.1% to $2.74 billion. Seniors were disproportionately targeted by investment scams discovered on social media and via phone calls, with one elderly woman losing her life savings after clicking a deepfake Elon Musk video that promised investment returns she could not withdraw. The ACCC reports that scammers specifically target older Australians with retirement savings, while text message scams increased 37.3% overall and job scams more than double
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Common online scams in India include UPI fraud, credit/debit card theft, and "FedEx" extortion schemes, all using social engineering to trick victims into authorizing payments or revealing sensitive information. A Bengaluru banking executive lost Rs 25,000 after a friend's WhatsApp account was compromised by a hacker who impersonated a telecom operator to intercept account registration codes. To protect themselves, victims should immediately report fraud to their bank and police within an hour of discovery, file cybercrime complaints, and remember that "digital arrest" is a scammer tactic—police cannot arrest or interrogate people online.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint FBI and Highmark Health initiative reports that elder fraud targeting people 60 and older is rising, with over 88,000 complaints involving romance scams, tech support fraud, and grandparent schemes, though most cases go unreported due to shame and uncertainty about reporting. The report emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, and scammers use emotional manipulation—invoking joy, hope, or fear—to extract money and personal information, often victimizing the same person repeatedly. Key prevention advice includes hanging up on unsolicited calls, never providing financial information to unknown callers, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and financial institutions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A West Covina man, Tai Su, 48, was arrested in an HSI-orchestrated sting operation for attempting to collect $35,000 from two elderly victims who had already lost $25,000 in a phishing scheme. The scam began when the victims opened a malicious email link that locked their computer and displayed a fake "Microsoft Support" number; they were then manipulated by callers posing as bank fraud investigators and fake federal agents into withdrawing and handing over cash on multiple occasions. Su faces federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges carrying a maximum 20-year sentence.
foxrgv.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau has issued a public alert about a bail impersonation scam targeting senior citizens in which fraudsters pose as grandchildren or other relatives in legal distress and request urgent bail money via untraceable digital payment platforms like CashApp or WhatsApp. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including unsolicited calls requesting money, urgent payment demands, and pressure to act quickly; those targeted can report incidents to the BBB at 956-969-1804 or bbb.org/scamtracker.
wtae.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Pittsburgh field office and Highmark are warning of a surge in scams targeting people over 60, which represents a $3 billion annual problem nationally affecting thousands of victims. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, all designed to exploit vulnerable populations. The agencies recommend never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, resisting pressure to act quickly, verifying caller identity through independent contact with authorities, and reporting incidents to law enforcement and financial institutions.
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tai Su, 48, was arrested for operating a sophisticated phishing and impersonation scam targeting two elderly Encino residents in April. The scheme involved sending malicious emails to trick victims into believing their computers were hacked, then impersonating Microsoft Support and bank officials to coerce them into withdrawing $60,000 in cash for fake "federal agent" pickups at their homes. Su faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud conspiracy charges after Homeland Security Investigations intercepted the second payment attempt.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian scammers cost citizens $2.3 billion across 601,000 reported cases, with investment scams being the costliest at $1.3 billion, followed by remote access and romance scams. Seniors over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in losses, and social media and text messages emerged as primary contact methods, while government officials called for stronger safeguards including enforceable obligations on banks and digital platforms.
english.news.cn
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians reported over 601,000 scams—an 18.5% increase from 2022—though total losses fell 13% to 2.74 billion AUD, marking the first year-on-year decline since 2016. Investment scams were the most costly at 1.3 billion AUD (47% of total losses), followed by remote access and romance scams, with seniors aged 65+ being the only age group to lose more money than the previous year. Job scam losses surged 151.2% to 24.3 million AUD, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities
technode.global
· 2025-12-08
Malaysia experienced a 37% increase in e-commerce fraud cases from January to November, with total losses reaching RM1.13 billion, affecting 8,800 victims primarily through fake motorcycle advertisements and impersonation of legitimate sellers. Scammers exploit sophisticated tactics including fake listings, stolen identities, and artificial urgency to defraud buyers seeking motorcycles for business, transportation, or livelihood purposes. Combating these crimes requires enhanced consumer awareness, thorough research before online purchases, and addressing root causes of fraud to create a safer digital marketplace for Malaysians.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Jenny and Jian Lim lost $138,000 to an HSBC "spoofing" text message scam in October 2023, in which scammers impersonated the bank using authentic-appearing SMS messages and knowledge of account details to gain access and extract funds. This scam alone defrauded HSBC customers of $6.3 million between July 2023 and March 2024. While Australian authorities cited a 13% decrease in reported scam losses ($2.74 billion in 2023 versus $3.1 billion in 2022), consumer advocates argue the remaining losses remain "unacceptably high" and call for
kvnutalk.com
· 2025-12-08
People over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed by elderly victims—a 14% increase—and an average loss of $33,915 per person, according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the highest financial losses at over $1.2 billion, with illegal call scams netting over $700 million. The FBI called on financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and announced efforts to arrest scammers operating from call centers internationally while
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, people over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise in reporting. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $1.2 billion; the FBI urged financial institutions to take greater responsibility in protecting elderly customers and victims to report losses promptly for faster recovery.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, as criminals increasingly employ sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash and precious metals. The report highlights a rise in organized, transnational criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable older Americans, with some victims becoming destitute.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash or precious metals. The report highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable seniors, including one case where an 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a court impersonation scam.
kagstv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report that documents increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most common fraud type, followed by rising schemes involving in-person couriers collecting cash or gold from victims deceived into believing their accounts were compromised. Investigators warn that organized criminal enterprises are using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation tactics, with losses potentially underreported as many victims never report their victimization.
whsv.com
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to scams in the past year, a rise of 11% from the previous year, according to an FBI report showing increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics targeting victims over 60. The most common fraud was tech support scams, with a rising trend of in-person couriers collecting cash or precious metals from victims convinced their bank accounts had been compromised. Federal investigators warn of organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation schemes, with nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each last year.
voanews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with more than 100,000 complaints filed and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The most common schemes include tech support scams and impersonation frauds where criminals convince victims their accounts are compromised and direct them to move funds or liquidate assets into cash or precious metals, with a rising trend of using couriers to collect money in person. Investigators attribute the rise to increasingly sophisticated tactics by organized criminal enterprises operating transnationally, targeting vulnerable older Americans who may lack the
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, romance scams affected over 64,000 people and resulted in losses exceeding $1.1 billion, according to the American Special Investigative Group. Scammers use fake identities, AI-generated images, and fabricated online relationships to gain victims' trust before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes. To avoid becoming a victim, individuals should meet potential romantic interests in person, verify their identity through social media, and report suspected scams to their bank and the Federal Trade Commission.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report found that seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scammers, representing a 14% increase in complaints, with Georgia accounting for approximately $92 million in losses. Tech support scams remain the most common fraud type targeting this age group, while investment scams cause the greatest financial damage; one victim, Joan Stone, lost $350 to an impersonation scam claiming to be law enforcement threatening license suspension. The FBI emphasizes that these are professional criminals and advises seniors to exercise caution with solicitations for money and report fraud to their bank and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released its 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report warning of rising fraud targeting elderly people, with call center fraud (tech support, consumer support, and government impersonation scams) being the most common method and investment scams causing the greatest financial losses. In Louisiana alone, over 700 reported victims lost more than $18 million in 2023, though officials acknowledge the actual number of victims is significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI provides protective measures including recognizing scam attempts, verifying contact information online, resisting pressure to act quickly, and safeguarding personal information and devices.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
US seniors over age 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim according to an FBI report. Common schemes targeting this age group include tech support scams, fake investments, romance scams, extortion, and identity theft, with nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The FBI's Recovery Asset Team recovered some losses by freezing over $32 million in funds associated with 626 fraud complaints filed by seniors in 2023.